New faces on Sgt Pepper album cover for artist Peter Blake’s 80th birthday | Art and design | The Guardian

British pop artist Sir Peter Blake has taken inspiration from his most famous artwork – the Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club album cover – to celebrate the British cultural figures he most admires as he marks his 80th birthday.

Blake, often called the godfather of the British pop art scene, said: “I’ve chosen people I admire, great people and some who are dear friends.”I had a very long list of people who I wanted to go in but couldn’t fit everyone in – I think that shows how strong British culture and its legacy of the last six decades is.”

Singer Noel Gallagher, formerly of Oasis, was “chuffed” to be included. “To be on there with the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Mick Jagger and Paul Weller, just those three people alone, is amazing for me as I wouldn’t put myself up with any of those,” he said.

Rowling said: “Given that I’ve devoted quite a lot of time to gazing at the original Sgt Pepper album cover, you can perhaps imagine what it means to me to be featured.”